Railway switch controlling apparatus



May 17, 1938 f c. M. HINES 2,117,323

RAILWAY SWITCH CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 6, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet lJHZS' H15 ATTORNEY C agma May 17, 1938. c I 2,117,323

RAILWAY SWITCH CONTROLLING APPARATUS INVENTOR Claude M B27291.

QR [JAM HIS ATTORNEY May 17, 1938. c. M. HINES RAILWAY SWITCHCONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 6, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 &

Fig.8.

INVENTOR Claude M. M2294.

mam

HIS ATTORNEY May 17, 1938. C HlNEg 2,117,323

' RAILWAY SWITCH CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed NOV. 6, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet4 Q Fig. 10. Egg;

INVENTOR ClaadeM linen H125 ATTORN EY Patented May 17, 1938 RAILWAYSWITCH CONTROLLING APPARA- TUS Claude M. Hines, Edgewood, Pa., assignorto The Union Switch & Signal Company, Swissvale, Pa., a corporation ofPennsylvania Application November 6, 1935, Serial No. 48,523

7 Claims.

My invention relates to railway switch controlling apparatus, andparticularly to apparatus for the protection of a railway switch motoragainst overload.

I will describe several forms of apparatus embodying my invention, andwill then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

The apparatus of this invention is an improvement over that disclosed inthe copending application Serial No. 133,218 of Norman F. Agnew andmyself, filed March 26, 1937, for Railway switch controlling apparatus.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustratingone form of apparatus embodying my invention. Figs. 2 to 11, inclusivc,are diagrammatic views illustrating modifications of portions of theapparatus shown in Fig. 1, and each also embodying my invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of theseveral views.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the reference character W designates arailway switch which is operated by the well-known dual selector type ofmechanism. In the form here shown diagrammatically, this mechanismcomprises a dual selector lever S which operates a link 3. When thelever S is in its normal position, as shown in the drawings, link 3connects switch W with motor M, and when lever S is in its reverseposition, link 3 disconnects the switch W from motor M and connects theswitch with a hand throw lever H. The selector lever S also controlscontacts 26 and 21 in accordance with the position of the lever That is,contact 26 is closed only when the selector lever S occupies its normalposition and contact 21 is closed only when the selector lever Soccupies its reverse position.

The motor M is controlled by a normal switch control relay NWR and areverse switch control relay RWR in such manner that motor M is causedto operate switch W to its normal position when relay NWR. is energizedand relay RWR. is deenergized, and is caused to operate switch W to itsreverse position when relay RWR. is energized and relay NWR isdeenergized,

The relays NWR and RWR are controlled by a polarized switch controlrelay designated by the reference character WR, and by an overloaddevice designated by the reference character OR. That is, when theoverload device OR is in its initial deenergized condition, either therelay NWR or RWR may be energized depending upon the condition of thepolarized switch control relay WR,.

The polarized switch control relay WR, is controlled .by a leverdesignated by the reference character L which lever is usually locatedat some point remote from the switch.

Associated with the lever L is a locking device which comprises asegment 4 operatively connected with lever L and cooperating with a dog5 in such manner that the lever L cannot be moved from either extremeposition unless the dog 5 is in its unlocking position as shown in thedrawings. The dog 5 is controlled by an armature 6 of a locking relaydesignated by the reference character LR.

The locking relay LR is controlled in accordance with traffic conditionsadjacent the switch, by any usual and well-known means not shown in thedrawings, in such manner that the relay LR is energized only when thetrailic conditions adjacent the switch are such as to permit safeoperation of the switch W. The lever L, therefore, cannot be moved fromeither of its extreme positions, so as to cause operation of the switchW, if traflic conditions adjacent the switch are such as to cause thedeenergization of the relay LR.

The overload device OR is here shown as a relay having two windings. Aswill be explained more in detail hereinafter, one winding 22, which Ishall term an overload winding, is controlled by the current in themotor M, and the other winding 23, which I shall term the holdingwinding, is controlled by the switch lever L and by the dual selectorlever S. Winding 22 is connected in parallel with thermal resistor I!which under normal conditions carries the major portion of the motorcurrent. When the switch is obstructed, motor M draws increased currentwhich heats up resistor ll, thus increasing its resistance. Thisincreased resistance causes a larger voltage drop across winding 22 thuscausing suflicient current to flow in winding 22 to energize overloadrelay OR.

The reference character WP designates a polarized switch indicationrelay which is energized in the normal or reverse direction inaccordance with the switch position provided the condition of thepolarized switch control relay WR is in agreement with the condition ofthe switch. The switch indication relay WP may be utilized in thewell-known manner, by means not shown in the drawings, for controllingsignals which govern the movement of traffic over the switch W.

The operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 will best be understoodby explaining the operation and tracing the circuits simultaneously.

I shall first assume that with all apparatus in its normal condition, asshown in the drawings, the operator desires to cause switch W to move toits reverse position. He may do this by moving lever L to its reverseposition. When lever L occupies its reverse position, relay WR willbecome energized in the reverse direction by virtue of a circuit whichpasses from a terminal B of a suitable source of energy through levercontact 1, wire 8, winding of relay WR, wire 9, and lever Cil cont-actill to terminal C of the same source of energy. When polarized switchcontrol relay WR energized in the reverse direction, its polar con tactsii and H2 will move to the right so as to come into engagement withtheir right-hand contacts. When contact -13 of relay WR is closed,reverse switch control relay RWR will become energized by a circuitwhich passes from nal B, through contact i ll3 of relay WR,

switch cut-out contact l4, winding of relay and back contact E5 ofoverload relay OR to terminal C. When reverse switch control RWR isenergized, the motor M will be caused to operate in the reversedirection by a circuit which passes from terminal B through :front pointof contact I6 of relay RWR, resistor l1 and overload winding 22 of relayOR in multiple, armature l, back point of contact [8 of relay NWR, andmotor field 2 to terminal 0. When motor M completes the movement ofswitch W to reverse position, motor cut-out contact M will become openedso that relay RWR will become deenergized. When relay RWR isdeenercurrent will be disconnected from the motor M so that the motorwill cease operation. The switch indication relay WP at this time willbe energized in the reverse direction by virtue of circuit which passesfrom terminal B, through polemhanger contact 19, winding of relay W'P,contact l22!3' of relay WR and pole-changer contact 2! to terminal C.The relay WP, therefore, may now be utilized in any well-known manner toindicate that the switch W occupies its reverse position.

I shall next assume that the switch W became obstructed and failed toreach its reverse position. In this event, the current drawn by themotor through resistor I 1 will cause the voltage drop across overloadwinding 22 of relay OR to increase to such a value that overload relayOR will be operated from its initial deenergized condition to itsoperated or picked up condition as previously explained. It will benoted that the holding winding 23 of the relay OR is connected in ashunt path which includes normally closed selector lever contact 26 andback point of contact 25 of relay OR. Holding winding 23 is so connectedin this shunt path that the flux induced in the holding winding 23 bythe energization of the overload winding 22 will oppose the flux in theoverload winding 22 so that the overload relay OR will have a slowacting characteristic. In other words, the shunting of the holdingwinding 23 causes relay OR to be slow in picking up so that momentarysurges of current in the motor such, for example, as occur when themotor is starting will not cause the operation. of the overload relay.

When the overload relay attains its operated or picked up condition, itwill be retained in such condition by virtue of a stick circuit whichpasses from terminal B through contact 1 of lever L, wire 8, front pointof contact 25 of relay OR, holding winding 23, wire 9, and contact I!)of lever L to terminal 0. Holding winding 23 will be so connected thatit will be energized in a direction to correspond to the energization ofthe overload winding. Therefore, when lever L is in such position as tooperate the switch to its reverse position, the holding winding willalso be energized in the reverse direction.

Contacts 15 and 25 of overload relay OR will be so adjusted that thefront point of contact 25 will close before back point of contact l5opens. The relay RWR, therefore, will not become deenergized so as todisconnect energy from overload winding 22 before holding winding 23becomes energized.

When the operator desires to again assume control of the switch W, hemay do this by inanipulating lever L to its normal position which willmomentarily energize holding winding 23 in the normal direction over thepreviously traced stick circuit so that the flux in winding 23 will beopposed and neutralized to cause relay OR to return to its initialdeenergized condi ion.

When switch W is to be operated by hand throw lever H, it is desirablethat the motor M should be removed from control by the switch lever Land that the motor M should not be restored to control of the switchlever L without some distinctive act by the operator, such, for example,as manipulating the lever L, even though the switch W should again becoupled to the motor M.

Assuming that the switch W is again occupying its normal position, themovement of dual selector lever S will disconnect the switch W from themotor M, will connect the switch to hand throw lever H and will opencontact 26 and close contact 2'l40. The opening of contact 25 will openthe shunt path around holding winding 23 and the closing of contact2l4El will energize holding winding 23 by virtue of a circuit whichpasses from terminal B, through contact H] of switch lever L, wire 9,winding 23, selector lever contact 2l4l, wire 8, and contact 1 of leverL to terminal C. When the overload relay is energized, its back contact[5 will be opened so that neither normal switch control relay NWR norhave provided a simple and reliable means of controlling an overloadrelay for disconnecting a railway switch motor upon excessive currentflow therein which device has a slow acting characteristic so as to besubstantially immune to momentary surges of current in the motor.Furthermore, the overload relay may also be operated by the manipulationof a dual selector lever so that remote control of the motor isprevented when the switch is being operated locally by hand. retainingthe overload relay in its operated condition wherein the motor isrendered inoperative until such time as the operator at the remotecontrol point manipulates the switch lever so as to initiate a newmovement of the switch.

Referring next to Fig. 2, the lever L is herein shown as the type whichis not provided with mechanical locking and which is free to move at alltimes. Movement of the switch under dangerous trafiic conditions,however, is prevented by controlling the polarized switch control relayWR over front contacts of the locking relay LR. Furthermore, it will benoted that when the locking relay LR is deenergized due, for example, tothe presence of a train in the switch W, the polarized switch controlrelay will be energized and maintained in one condition or another bycircuits controlled by contacts of the switch indication relay WP. Forexample, with the switch control relay WR and the switch indicationrelay both In addition, I also provide means for in their normalcondition, the switch control relay WR will be energized in the normaldirection when the locking relay LR is released by virtue of a circuitwhich passes from terminal B through polar contact 3| of relay WP, backpoint of contact 32 of relay LR, wire 9, relay WR, wire 8, back point ofcontact 33 of relay LR, neutral front contact 34 of relay WP and polarcontact 3536 of relay WP to terminal C. The relay WR, therefore, isprevented from moving from its initial condition while the locking relayLR is released.

The polarized switch control relay WR is otherwise controlled in theusual manner by the switch lever L and the relay WR controls the normaland reverse switch control relays NWR and RWR in the usual manner.

It will be noted that the normal and reverse switch control relays NWRand RWR are each provided with a control circuitwhich includes backcontact l5 of overload relay OR, selector lever contact 26, and then twobranch paths, one of which includes front contact 31 of locking relayLR, and the other of which includes front neutral contact 38 ofindication relay WP. The back contact I5 of the overload relay OR andthe selector lever contact 26 are provided for disconnecting energy fromthe switch control relays NWR or RWR when the switch W is obstructed andwhen the switch is to be operated by lever H, respectively. The frontcontact 31 of relay LR in multiple with front contact 38 of relay WPprovides a means for energizing the relay NWR or RWR for normaloperation of the switch andv a means for energizing one or the other ofthe switch control relays NWR and RWR in the event the switch shouldcreep or otherwise be moved when the locking relay LR is released. Forexample, if the switch W should begin to move from its normal positionwhen the relay LR. is released, energy would be supplied to normalswitch control relay NWR as soon as normal motor cut-out contact 28becomes closed by virtue of a circuit which passes from terminal Bthrough polar contact Il24 of relay WR, normal motor cut-out contact 28,relay NWR, back contact l5 of overload relay OR, selector lever contact26, and front neutral contact 38 of relay WP to terminal C. When normalswitch control relay NWR is energized, the motor M will be energized inthe normal direction to drive switch W back to its normal position.

The holding winding 23 of the overload relay OR is provided with theusual shunt path which includes back contact 29 of relay OR and selectorlever contact 2'l--39. When the overload relay is operated by excessivecurrent in the motor M or by manipulation of the selector lever S so asto energize the holding winding 23 through a pick-up circuit whichpasses from terminal B through contact IU of lever L, front point ofcontact 32 of relay LR, wire 9, selector lever contact 40-21, winding23, wire 8, front point of contact 33 of relay LR and contact 1 of leverL to terminal C, the shunt path through the winding 23 will be opened bythe opening of back contact 29 of the relay OR and a stick circuit formaintaining relay OR picked up will be established by the closing offront contact 25 of relay OR. It will be noted that this stick circuit,with the lever L in the normal position, passes from terminal B throughcontact In of lever L, front point of contact 32 of relay LR, wire 9,front contact 25 of relay OR, holding winding 23 of relay OR, wire 8,front point of contact 33 of relay LR and contact l of lever L toterminal C.

When the overload relay OR is in its operated condition, the relays NWRand RWR are both retained in their deenergized condition so that themotor M cannot be operated.

When the operator desires to again assume control of the relays NWR andRWR, he may do so by reversing switch lever L so that the holdingwinding 23 will become energized in the opposite direction. When thewinding 23 is energized in the opposite direction, the relay OR willbecome released so that the stick circuit will be broken by the openingof front contact 25 of relay OR.

Referring next to Fig. 3, it will be noted that the polarized switchcontrol relay WR is controlled by easily traced circuits which are inturn controlled by the locking relay LR and by the switch lever L. Thenormal and reverse switch control relays NWR and RWR are controlled bythe polarized switch control relay WR and the locking relay LR. Forexample, the normal switch control relay NWR is controlled by a circuitwhich passes from terminal B through front point 31 of locking relay LR,relay NWR, normal cut-out contact 28, back contact 29 of relay OR, andpolar contact I l24 of relay WR to terminal C. Therefore, relays WR,NWR, and RWR may be energized only if the locking relay LR is energized.

The holding winding of the overload relay OR is provided with the usualshunt connection which includes back contact 25 of relay OR and dualselector contact 26. The holding winding is also provided with twopick-up circuits and two stick circuits. When the polarized swtichcontrol relay WR is in its normal condition, for example, a pick-upcircuit for relay OR passes over a path from terminal B through normalpolar contact 4l-42 of relay WR, dual selector contact 21-45, holdingWinding 23 and polar contact Il-24 of relay WR to terminal C. Afterrelay OR attains its operated condition, one or the other of the stickcircuits is established. For example, with relay WR in its normalcondition, a stick circuit is established over a path which passes fromterminal B through normal polar contact 4l42 of relay WR, front point ofcontact 25 of relay OR, winding 23 and polar contact li-24 of relay WRto terminal C. The other pick-up and stick circuits for winding 23 maybe readily traced over similar paths except including the reverse polarcontacts instead of the normal polar contacts of relay WR.

Both back contacts l5 and 29 will be so adjusted as to remain closeduntil front point of contact 25 closes so that the energy may not bedisconnected from the overload winding 22 until the stick circuit isestablished.

It will be noted that the holding winding 23 is energized in either thenormal or the reverse direction according as the relay WR is in itsnormal or reverse condition. The overload relay, there fore, may becaused to return to its initial deenergized condition by reversing theenergization of the relay WR.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the reference character WZ designates a polarrelay which is controlled by the lever L. The relay WZ in turn controlsthe polarized switch control relay WR. The relay WZ, therefore, simplyserves as a repeating relay 'for the lever L and is generally utilizedin the manner shown where the distance from the location of the lever Lto the location of the relay WR is such as to make the use of arepeating relay either necessary or desirable.

The polarized switch control relay WR is normally deenergized and can beenergized only if the relay WCR is energized. The relay WCR can beenergized only if the condition of relay WZ disagrees with the conditionof relay WR. For example, relay WCR will become energized if relay WZ isenergized in the reverse direction when the relay WR is energized in thenormal direction and the relay WCR Will become deenergized when relay WRbecomes energized in the reverse direction in response to theenergization of relay WZ. In other words, relay WCR becomes momentarilyenergized upon each reversal of energization of relay WZ so that relayWR will become energized. When relay WR responds to such energization,the relay WCR becomes deenergized to cause relay WR to becomedeenergized and so to remain until a new operation of relay WR isdesired. For example, the reversal of the energization of relay WZ willenergize relay WCR by virtue of a circuit which passes from terminal Bthrough polar contact 505i of relay WZ, front contact 33 of relay LR,polar contact 52-53 of relay WR and relay WCR to terminal C. When relayWCR is energized, relay WR will be energized in the reverse direction byvirtue of a circuit which passes. from terminal B through polar contact50-5l of relay WZ, front contact 33 of relay LR, relay WR, front contact54 of relay WCR, front contact 32 of relay LR and polar contact 55-56 ofrelay WZ to terminal C. When relay WR is energized in the reversedirection, the opening of contact 5253 will deenergize relay WCR so thatrelay WR will become deenergized.

The normal and reverse switch control relays NWR and RWR are controlledby both the relay WZ and the relay WR. That is, both these latter relaysmust be in a corresponding condition in order to energize either one ofthe former relays. For example, with all apparatus in the normalcondition, reverse switch control relay RWR may be energized when bothrelays WZ and WR are energized in the reverse direction by virtue of acircuit which passes from terminal B through polar contact 505l of relayWZ, front contact 33 of relay LR, relay RWR, reverse switch outoutcontact i4, polar contact [3-H of relay WR, dual selector contact 26,back contact l5 of relay OR, and back contact 57 of relay WCR toterminal C.

When relay RWR is energized, the motor M will drive switch W to itsreverse position.

The holding winding 23 of the overload relay OR is shunted by the usualshunt path which includes back contact 58 of relay OR and dual selectorcontact 2l39.

The holding winding 23 is also provided with a pick-up circuit whichpasses from terminal B through winding 23, dual selector contact 21-40,and back contact 51 of relay WCR to terminal C.

When relay OR is picked up either by excessive current in the motor M orby manipulation of the dual selector lever S, the shunt path across thewinding 23 will be opened and the relay OR will be maintained in suchcondition by virtue of a stick circuit which passes from terminal Bthrough winding 23, front contact 25 of relay OR, and back contact 51 ofrelay C. The operator may release relay OR by the manipulation of leverL which will energize relay WCR momentarily so as to open the stickcircuit for relay OR.

Referring now to Fig. 5, the polarized switch control relay WR iscontrolled in a manner similar to that described for the apparatus shownin Fig. 2. That is, relay WR is controlled by lever L when locking relayLR is energized and is controlled by the polarized switch indicationrelay WP when the relay LR is released.

The normal and reverse switch control relays NWR and RWR are controlledby the lever L and the polarized switch control relay WR. For ex ample,with all apparatus in the normal condition, relay RWR may be energizedwhen lever L is moved to its reverse position so that relay WR isenergized in the reverse direction, by virtue of a circuit which passesfrom terminal B through contact 1 of lever L, front point of contact 33of relay LR, wire 8, polar contact lll3 of relay WR, reverse switchcut-out contact it, relay RWR, back contact l5 of relay OR, dualselector contact 26, wire 9, front point of contact 32 of relay LR, andcontact ll] of lever L to terminal C.

The overload relay is provided with the usual shunt path which includesback contact 29 of relay OR and dual selector contact 21-39.

The relay OR is also provided with the usual pick-up circuits. Forexample, with all apparatus in the normal condition, winding 23 may beenergized when the dual selector lever S is moved to its reverseposition by virtue of a circuit which passes from terminal B throughcontact H] of lever L, front point of contact 32 of relay LR, wire 9,dual selector contact 40-2l, winding 23 of relay OR, wire 8, front pointof contact 33 of relay LR and contact 1 of lever L to terminal C.

When relay OR is operated either by the motor current or by the selectorlever, it will be maintained in its operated condition by virtue of astick circuit which passes over the same path as just described for thepick-up circuit up to and including wire 9 and thence through frontcon-- tact 25 of relay OR, winding 23, wire 8, and the same path as thepick-up circuit to terminal C. The relay OR may be returned to itsinitial deenergized condition upon the manipulation of lever L so thatwinding 23 is momentarily ener gized in the reverse direction.

Referring next to Fig. 6, the polarized switch control relay WR and thenormal and reverse switch control relays NWR and RWR are controlled bythe lever L and the locking relay LR in a manner similar to thatdescribed for the apparatus shown in Fig. 3. That is, when the lockingrelay LR is energized, the relay WR is controlled by the lever L and therelays NWR and RWR are controlled by the relay WR.

The holding winding 23 of the overload relay OR is provided with theusual shunt path which includes the back point of contact 25 of relay ORand dual selector contact 26.

The winding 23 of the overload relay OR is provided with the usualpick-up circuits con trolled by the dual selector lever S. For example,when relay WR is in its normal condition, winding 23 may be energized bycurrent in one direction over a circuit which passes from terminal Bthrough polar contact ll-42 of relay WR, winding 23, and dual selectorcontact 40-4] to terminal C. When relay WR is energized in the reversedirection, winding 23 may be energized by current in the oppositedirection over a circuit which passes from terminal C through selectorlever contact 2'I-4U, winding 23 and polar contact 42-60 of relay WR toterminal N which terminal is of negative polarity with respect toterminal C. Winding 23 of relay OR, therefore, may be energized in thenormal or reverse direction according to the condition of polarizedswitch control relay. Windings 22 and 23 will be so arranged that thedirection of current flow is the same in each winding.

When relay OR is operated, the shunt path will become opened and theholding winding will be energized by one or the other of its stickcircuits depending upon the condition of relay WR. For example, whenrelay WR is in its normal condition as shown in the drawings, a stickcircuit will be established which passes from terminal B through contact4l42 of relay WR, winding 23 and front point of contact 25 of relay ORto terminal C. When the operator desires to again assume control of theswitch, he may do so by reversing the direction of energization of relayWR which relay will in turn momentarily reverse the energization ofwinding 23.

Referring next to Fig. 7, the reference characters J and K designate twoasymmetric units so poled that the polarized switch control relay WR isnormally deenergized. For example, when the relay WR is energized in thereverse direction, current will flow over a path which passes from wire8 through relay WR, polar contact 6l-62 of relay WR and asymmetric unitJ back to wire 9. When polar contact 6| moves to its reverse position,current cannot flow through the relay WR because asymmetric unit K is sopoled as to permit the passage of current in the normal directlon only.The apparatus shown in Fig. '7, therefore, provides a simple andreliable means for normally maintaining the polarized switch controlrelay WR in a deenergized condition. The method illustrated in Fig. '7may be utilized for the control of the relay WR shown in any of thepreceding figures except Fig. 4 wherein a relay WCR is provided for thispurpose.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, the relays NWR and RWR are shown in eachfigure with additional front contacts for the control of the motor M.The purpose of the extra front contact of each relay in the motoroperating circuit is to open the motor circuit at two points instead ofone point so that the are usually accompanying the breaking of a circuitmay be more readily extinguished. For example, when relay NWR of Fig. 8becomes deenergized at the completion of the movement of the switch, themotor operating circuit will be broken at the front point of contact I8and also at front contact 63 so that the are at each contact will besubstantially less than if only one contact is used to break the motoroperating, circuit.

It will be readily apparent that the apparatus shown in Fig. 9 operatesin a similar manner and differs from the apparatus shown in Fig. 8 onlyin the manner which the contacts of the relays NWR and RWR are connectedin the motor circuit.

The double break motor operating circuits illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9are particularly applicable for controlling the motor M when the motoris of the high voltage type. It is obvious, however, that the motor Mshown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 may be controlled in this manner tominimize the effects of arcing regardless of the operating voltage ofthe motor.

Referring next to Fig. 10, the reference character Q designates a brakefor preventing unnecessary operation of the motor M after the current isdisconnected from the motor. In the form here shown, the referencecharacter 65 designates a brake shoe which cooperates with a drum 66operatively connected to the armature l of the motor M. The shoe 65 isnormally biased to a braking position by a spring 61 cooperating with apivotally mounted armature G3 to which the shoe is fastened. Thearmature 68 is controlled by a magnet 69 in such manner that when themagnet 59 is energized, the shoe 65 is raised free of the drum 66.

The magnet 69 is controlled in series with either the relay NWR or therelay RWR by the polarized switch control relay WR. That is, when eitherrelay NWR or RWR is energized, the magnet 69 is also energized so thatthe brake is ineffective. It will be also noted that when overload relayOR is in its energized condition, energy will be disconnected frommagnet 69 so that the brake Q will become effective to prevent furtherrotation of the armature I.

It will be readily apparent how the brake Q can be applied to theapparatus shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, although for purposes ofthis invention, I have shown the brake applied to a portion of theapparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Referring now to Fig. ll, the reference char-- acters X and Y designatetwo asymmetric units connected in multiple with switch cut-out contacts28 and I4, respectively, and so poled as to prevent the energization ofpolarized switch control relay WR when the lever L and the switch Woccupy corresponding positions. For example, if lever L is moved to itsreverse position, relay WR will become energized in the reversedirection by virtue of a circuit which passes from terminal B throughcontact I of lever L, front contact 33 of locking relay LR, back contactH": of overload relay OR, reverse cut-out contact l4, relay WR,asymmetric unit X. front contact 32 of relay LR, and contact is of lever1;

L to terminal C. When the switch completes its movement to the reverseposition in response to the reverse energization of relay WR, reversecut-out contact 14 will become opened so that current will bedisconnected from relay WR since asymmetric unit Y will prevent the flowof current in the reverse direction to relay WR. The asymmetric units Xand Y, therefore, function in cooperation with cut-out contacts 14 and28 to provide for energization of the relay WR oniy when the switch W isto be moved.

The relay WR controls the switch motor M direct without the use of thenormal and reverse switch control relays NWR and RWR. That is, theoperating circuits for the motor M are controlled by neutral and polarcontacts of the relay WR in such manner that when the relay WR isenergized, the motor M will operate in the normal or reverse directionaccording as the relay WR is energized in the normal or reversedirection and when the relay WR is deenergized, the motor will bedisconnected from its source of energy.

The brake Q operates to prevent excessive movement of the motor M in amanner similar to that described for the apparatus shown in Fig. 10.That is, when relay WR is energized, the magnet 69 is energized over afront contact T3] of the relay WR so that the brake is ineffective andwhen relay WR is deenergized, the magnet 69 is also deenergized so thatthe brake is effective for preventing unnccesasry rotation of thearmature I.

The overload relay OR controls the relay 'WR by means of back contact l5and the overload winding 22 of relay OR is controlled in the usualmanner by the current flowing in motor M. The holding winding of relayOR is provided with the usual shunt path including back point of contact25 of relay OR and dual selector contact 26.

The winding 23 of relay OR is provided with the usual pick-up circuitwhich may be energized in the normal or reverse direction depending onthe position occupied by lever L when selector lever S is moved to itsreverse position. For example, if lever L occupies its normal position,winding 23 may be energized when selector lever S is reversed by virtueof a circuit which passes from terminal B through contact I!) of leverL, front contact 32 of relay LR, winding 23, dual selector contact402'l, front contact 33 of relay LR, and contact I of lever L toterminal C.

When overload relay OR is operated either by excessive current in themotor M or by manipulation of the selector lever S, winding 23 will beenergized by a stick circuit, when lever L occupies its normal position,which circuit passes from terminal B through contact ID of lever L,front contact 32 of relay LR, winding 23, front point of contact 25 ofrelay OR, front contact 33 of relay LR, and contact I of lever L toterminal C. Relay OR, therefore, will be maintained in its operatedcondition until such time as the stick circuit is broken. This may beaccomplished in the usual manner. that is, by reversing the direction ofenergization of the winding 23 so that relay OR is forced to return toits normal deenergized condition.

Although I have herein shown and described only several forms ofapparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changesand modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appendedclaims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination, an overload relay having a pick-up winding and aholding winding, a mo tor rendered inoperative when said overload relayis picked up, means for connecting said pickup winding to said motorwhereby said overload relay is picked up when the current in said motorexceeds a predetermined amount, means including a back contact of saidoverload relay for closing a shunt path around said holding winding whreby said relay is made slow to pick up, means operative when said relayis picked up for energizing said holding winding, and other means forremoving said shunt path and for then energizing said holding windingwhereby said overload relay is caused to pick up independently of thecurrent in said motor.

2. In combination, a polarized relay, means for reversibly governingsaid polarized relay, a motor including operating circuits, meansincluding contacts of said polarized relay for reversibly supplyingenergy to said operating circuits, a normally released overload relayeffective when picked up to prevent the supply of energy to saidoperating circuits, a first winding of said overload relay included insaid operating circuits to pick up the overload relay if the current inthe operating circuits exceeds a predetermined value, a second windingof said overload relay, means for shunting said second winding when saidre lay is released to cause said overload relay to be slow in pickingup. and means governed by said polarized relay for reversibly energizingsaid second winding when said overload relay is picked up.

3. In combination, a relay, a circuit, means governed by said relay forsupplying energy to said circuit, an overload winding of said relayincluded in said circuit to operate the relay if the current in thecircuit exceeds a predetermined value, an auxiliary winding of saidrelay, means for energizing said auxiliary winding to operate said relayindependently of the current in said circuit, and means effective whensaid relay is operated to energize said auxiliary winding to maintainsaid relay in its operated condition.

4. In combination, a relay, a circuit, means governed by a back contactof said relay for supplying energy to said circuit, an overload windingof said relay included in said circuit to pick up the relay if thecurrent in the circuit exceeds a predetermined value, an auxiliarywinding of said relay, means for energizing said auxiliary winding tooperate the relay independently of the current in said circuit, andmeans including a front contact of said relay for energizing saidauxiliary winding to maintain the relay in its picked up condition.

5. In combination, a railway track switch, a motor for operating saidswitch, circuits for said motor, means for supplying energy to saidcircuits, a relay effective when operated to prevent the supply ofenergy to said circuits, an overload winding of said relay included insaid circuits to operate the relay if the current in said circuitsexceeds a predetermined value, means for conditioning said switch formanual operation, an auxiliary winding of said relay, means effectivewhen said switch is conditioned for manual operation to energize saidauxiliary winding to operate said relay independently of the current insaid circuits, and means effective when said relay is operated toenergize said auxiliary winding to maintain said relay in its operatedcondition.

6. In combination, a railway track switch, a motor for operating saidswitch, circuits for said motor, manually controlled means forreversibly governing the supply of energy to said circuits to controlsaid motor, a relay effective when operated to prevent the supply ofenergy to said circuits, an overload winding of said relay included insaid circuits to operate the relay if the current in the circuitsexceeds a predetermined value, an auxiliary winding of said relay, meansfor energizing said auxiliary winding to operate said relayindependently of the current in said circuits, and means effective whensaid relay is operated by either winding to energize said auxiliarywinding until a new operation of said manually controlled means isinitiated.

'7. In combination, a railway track switch, a motor, a manual lever, aselector lever having a normal position in which said switch isconnected to said motor and a reverse position in which said switch isconnected with said manual lever, circuits for supplying energy to saidmotor, a normally released relay effective when picked up to prevent thesupply of energy to said motor, an overload winding of said relayincluded in said circuits to pick up the relay upon excessive currentflow in the circuits, an auxiliary winding of said relay, meansincluding a contact which is closed only when said selector leveroccupies its normal position for shunting said auxiliary winding toprovide said relay with a slow pick-up characteristic, and meansincluding a contact which is closed only when said selector leveroccupies its reverse position for energizing said auxiliary winding topick up said relay independently of the current in said circuits.

CLAUDE M. HINES.

